Colorado School District Deploys Mobile Technology Hub to Deliver STEM Curriculum During School Closures
CENTENNIAL, Colo., May 28, 2020 /3BL Media/ – Last fall, St. Vrain Valley Schools in northern Colorado unveiled its Future-Ready Innovation Lab – a custom-designed 45-foot long motorcoach filled with experiential learning opportunities, including virtual reality, robotics and aeronautics activities. The mobile lab was designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and provide both community members and students the opportunity to experiment with new technology.
The innovative mobile lab is part of slate of STEM programs the district has developed to equip students with in-demand skills for the future. Those efforts earned the district the 2019 Colorado Succeeds Prize in Excellence in Technology Enabled Learning presented by Arrow Electronics. St. Vrain Valley Schools received $15,000 to support the Future-Ready Innovation Lab and other initiatives designed to address the workforce skills gap.
The Future-Ready Lab was busy touring schools and community events until COVID-19 hit Colorado, forcing the closure of schools. But instead of letting the lab sit idle, the district shifted gears, deploying the mobile lab to schools where meals are distributed to provide information on at-home STEM activities and virtual summer camps. The lab also visited teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week to deliver messages of appreciation from students and parents.
“The lab continues to be a resource for students and our community,” shared Colin Rickman, Mobile Lab Coordinator. “With such a successful first year to reflect upon, we are excited to move forward with innovative ways to keep students engaged in learning and to share the amazing work being done across St. Vrain Valley Schools.”
Although the mobile lab is not open for tours, high school students in the district continue to build programming for the lab, including new stations focused on artificial intelligence. The AI activities will focus on explaining the technology, investigating ethical dilemmas involved in the use of A.I. and exploring how A.I. might be used in the future. The goal is to install the stations in the fall and open the lab to visitors once it’s safe to do so.
The Succeeds Prize—a partnership between Colorado’s business community, KUSA-TV (9NEWS), Colorado Succeeds and mindSpark Learning— recognizes and rewards Colorado’s transformational public schools and educators who are driving strong student success.
The Excellence in Technology Enabled Learning award is part of Arrow’s Innovation in Technology awards launched by the company to honor the world’s brightest innovators, transforming ideas into real and influential achievements that will help people and the communities in which Arrow works.
About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) guides innovation forward for over 175,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers. With 2019 sales of $29 billion, Arrow develops technology solutions that improve business and daily life. Learn more at FiveYearsOut.com.
###
